All things books, all the time

An Open Invitation

I know many of you are new around these parts, but I have my select few who have been here with me for some time now. I’d like to offer all of you an opportunity to do something that I’ve never once offered before during my 11 months of blogging. A guest post!

I’ve never been asked by another blogger to guest post on their blog and it makes me sad. Because I think my posts are pretty much the best damn thing the internet has to offer. Only kidding. Kinda. Anyway, I have a lot of blogs I follow and bloggers who follow me who write REALLY great posts. I’m talking those blogs that you refuse to miss a post. I have quite a few of those and I’m wondering if perhaps some of these might like to write a guest post for my wonderful little blog here.

So, first let me talk about what I will and will not be looking for. As you can see, whether you’re a first time reader or a longtime follower of mine, this blog is about books. Writing them. Reading them. Publishing them. News related to them. Everything that can be said about books will likely find its place in one of my posts at some point. So obviously if you blog about fashion or food or travel then you’re likely not someone I would seriously consider for my first ever guest post. I apologize. So pretty much anything that has something to do with books is fair game EXCEPT book reviews or those “this is what I’ve read/ will be reading” posts or any of your own writing such as poems or excerpts from your current WIP. Those leave little room for engagement from the reader.

Also, you can’t propose writing a post about something I’ve already written about. Unless, in my opinion, it’s different enough to allow for another post to be written. I’ve written about A LOT when it comes to books so you may want to scroll through my Archives or use that little search bar over to the right to make sure your idea isn’t something I’ve written about.

Lastly, if you’re wondering if certain bloggers will receive preferential treatment over others, the answer is yes. I have bloggers who interact with me on just about every post I write. So obviously if you follow my blog the same minute you write a comment on this post and I’m comparing you to someone who has been here for months, well…sorry. Not really. There are a few bloggers I’d love to have write a guest post on here, but I’m first going to see who all is interested before I go asking around.

I reserve the right to refuse to publish or alter the post for any reason I see fit. The post will be published here either six days or two weeks from today. I’ll notify the blogger I’ve chosen to write the post within 24 hours of the initial publishing of this post on 5/1.

So, if you might be interested in writing a guest post on here then leave a comment! Or if you’d rather not have someone steal your idea, you can tweet me here. Or if you’re not on Twitter and don’t want your idea to be stolen by some sneaky blogger then you can comment with your email and I’ll promptly shoot you an email demanding your idea. My email is my name.

So you know your potential reach, this blog currently has just over 800 WordPress followers. You can expect maybe 50-100 more by the time your post goes live.

John, you KNOW I’d be interested, but when put on the spot, I can’t think of a topic for a guest post. Give me a few and I’ll come up with something. Come on, brain… THINK!!! *smoke trailing from ears*

Okay, now I have WAY too many ideas, so I’ll mention a few. If you don’t like those, I have more.

1. How to Research/Prep for a Series
2. Pantsing vs. Outlining
3. Backstory: How to develop well rounded characters with juicy secrets
4. The Voices in Your Head: Writing Dialogue
5. Fighting stereotypes/cliches without fighting market forces
6. Classic Character Archetypes: Which One is Yours?
7. Words to cut from your writing, and why.
8. Supporting Characters: Where Would We be Without Them?
9. Damaged Characters: Why They Appeal to Us.
10. Character fears and how/why they drive stories.

I’m always up for comparing/contrasting different authors (NOT reviewing them), and displaying how no story is new, just has different twists. I especially like to compare LOTR and Harry Potter, but I feel like that’s been done to death.

As a former fan-fiction junkie, I could also discuss how it can help/hinder your writing.

Also, if I’m chosen, you’d HAVE to give me a word limit, because I could talk all day about any of these topics.

This is a really great, and generous idea! I just did a blogging201 workshop and this was one of the aspects it suggested. . .were you a blogging201 buddy? I know I am not ready to be a guest blogger just yet, so my vote goes to phantomwriter143, because some of the things she’s thinking about would be really helpful for writers like me who are just starting! And now that I know you are open to it, maybe I will be asking you to be a guest blogger for me soon, your posts are always enjoyable!

Such a cool idea!!! I would love to write for another blog but I have no idea what I’d blog considering I mostly just do book reviews. So if you want a review I can help you out there! haha 🙂 Can’t wait to see who posts for you!!!

You’re terrible. Let’s see… you’re a crime fiction writer, right? You should write something else. How about we write a silly crime fiction fantasy… thing? That’s not really a question, more like a demand. I think it would be fun.

Fiine! You’re no fun. What is there to tell? I’m a weirdo aspiring fantasy author. I live in BC, Canada, I’m a borderline hardcore gamer, I read a lot, I like to draw, I like to sleep but I’d rather be awake writing, I have my own library, I’m still in high school, I’m a freelance writer, I like spicy food, I have 4 birds and a cat, I actually don’t like bananas and I like danishes more than milk and french fries.

Fine. The contract is as stated: John must agree that Erynn is awesome, the writing will be roughly an equal split of ideas and actual writing, and the writing starts right meow. But really, you up for it? I could actually come up with something semi legit 😀

Lol! We’re in the same boat. I was just thinking of just something for fun, you know, shits and giggles and all. A short story or something, a novella if you’re feeling ambitious. 😀 if you don’t wanna it’s absolutely no problem!

It’s just a username I’ve been using for a couple of years now. It was originally the name of my high wizard on ragnarok online, but I started using it regularly because the name I went by before zxeper was always taken; obviously because someone knew I was awesome and wanted to pretend to be me (I actually wouldn’t be surprised, I used to be a semi well known guild leader and it was pretty common for people to steal the names of good players). It pretty much is random, though I made it intentionally using the combination of zx because it’s considered “strong” in some gaming communities. The eper just naturally flows after it, I guess. My old name used to be Ceph or Cepheus, after the constellation or greek aethipoian king.

Well you asked, may as well educate you at the same time, eh? I’m happy you accepted! But you’re the first person who has asked about my name outside of my regular circles so I was kinda excited about that too. Got a gmail I can bother you on and get something started later? Or really any email.

Hi John, nice idea, I’d be interested. I was thinking about writing a piece on characterisation, how writers differ in their approach. for eg. I use actors. ok stop laughing ,but it’s true. I pick an actor who is like my protagonist and describe them. BTW phantomwriter143 my birthday is also May1. All cool people are born on this day!